Close down border crossings says DIKO leader

Close down border crossings says DIKO leader

South Cyprus’ opposition party leader Nicolas Papadopoulos has suggested closing down pedestrian border crossings between the two parts of the island, ‘Ekathimerini’ reports.

Speaking in an interview on Sigma TV on Monday, the Democratic Party (DIKO) leader and son of former President Tassos Papadopoulos said that in response to Turkey’s latest marine manoeuvres in the South’s EEZ, his government should take measures that will incur “a political cost on Turkey and the breakaway state.”

Asked whether that would include doing away with all the border crossings, Papadopoulos reportedly said: “It is one of the measures we should examine.”

DIKO abandoned the coalition with President Anastasiades’ party DISY in February after disagreements between the parties over the handling of Cyprus negotiations..

South Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades walked away from the negotiations over a week in protest at Turkey’s apparent efforts to encroach on the South’s EEZ. He called on the international community to condemn Ankara’s “provocative behaviour.” His action was made with the approval of South Cyprus’ political party leaders.